The New Priestly Service

8 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, awho is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a Minister of bthe 1sanctuary and of cthe true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.

3 For devery high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore eit is necessary that this One also have something to offer. 4 For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; 5 who serve fthe copy and gshadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, h“See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” 6 But now iHe has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a jbetter covenant, which was established on better promises.

A New Covenant

7 For if that kfirst covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. 8 Because finding fault with them, He says: l“Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—9 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the mLord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and nI will be their God, and they shall be My people. 11 oNone of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the pLord,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, qand their sins 2and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

13 rIn that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

Concluding Moral Directions

13 Let abrotherly love continue. 2 bDo not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing csome have unwittingly entertained angels. 3 dRemember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.

4 eMarriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; fbut fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, g“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we may boldly say:

h“The Lord is my helper;

I will not fear.

What can man do to me?”

Concluding Religious Directions

7 Remember those who 1rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. 8 Jesus Christ is ithe same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 Do not be carried 2about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might 3sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing jHis reproach. 14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. 15 kTherefore by Him let us continually offer lthe sacrifice of praise to God, that is, mthe fruit of our lips, 4giving thanks to His name. 16 nBut do not forget to do good and to share, for owith such sacrifices God is well pleased.

17 pObey those who 5rule over you, and be submissive, for qthey watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Prayer Requested

18 rPray for us; for we are confident that we have sa good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. 19 But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Benediction, Final Exhortation, Farewell

20 Now may tthe God of peace uwho brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, vthat great Shepherd of the sheep, wthrough the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you 6complete in every good work to do His will, xworking in 7you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

22 And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. 23 Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.

24 Greet all those who 8rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.

25 Grace be with you all. Amen.

Concluding Moral Directions

13 Let abrotherly love continue. 2 bDo not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing csome have unwittingly entertained angels. 3 dRemember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.

4 eMarriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; fbut fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, g“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we may boldly say:

h“The Lord is my helper;

I will not fear.

What can man do to me?”

Concluding Religious Directions

7 Remember those who 1rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. 8 Jesus Christ is ithe same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 Do not be carried 2about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might 3sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing jHis reproach. 14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. 15 kTherefore by Him let us continually offer lthe sacrifice of praise to God, that is, mthe fruit of our lips, 4giving thanks to His name. 16 nBut do not forget to do good and to share, for owith such sacrifices God is well pleased.

17 pObey those who 5rule over you, and be submissive, for qthey watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Prayer Requested

18 rPray for us; for we are confident that we have sa good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. 19 But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Benediction, Final Exhortation, Farewell

20 Now may tthe God of peace uwho brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, vthat great Shepherd of the sheep, wthrough the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you 6complete in every good work to do His will, xworking in 7you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

22 And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. 23 Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.

24 Greet all those who 8rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.

25 Grace be with you all. Amen.